Join us Wednesday, April 20th in room 1604 of the Des Plaines Campus to hear more about this exciting opportunity!

The Environmental Studies Concentration is a nineteen (19) semester hour concentration designed to provide an interdisciplinary framework that promotes understanding of humanity’s impact on the natural environment and how the natural environment impacts human development; a critical appreciation of the importance of sustainability; and the central importance of integrating the work of the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities for a holistic and meaningful understanding of any environmental issue or problem.

The disciplinary approaches of the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities are all essential to a full appreciation of the relationships between human systems and natural systems and any attempt to think critically and productively about how we can best meet our current environmental challenges.

The Environmental Studies Concentration prepares students for transfer into a variety of majors dealing with the environment, such as sustainability; environmental philosophy, law, and policy; environmental art and literature; environmental engineering and chemistry; conservation biology and natural resource management; and environmental journalism.

Most courses in the concentration meet the general education requirements and have IAI transfer codes. However, students should consult with the Environmental Studies Coordinator to ensure that they are taking the necessary courses in each general education area and are not taking more than one course with the same IAI number.

Students meeting the requirements for the Environmental Studies Concentration will have a notation added to their transcript indicating successful completion. In order to receive this designation, students must complete an Environmental Studies Concentration Completion form and meet with the Environmental Studies Coordinator.

Required Courses:

BIO106: Introduction to Environmental Science (4 credits)

PHL204: Environmental Ethics (3 credits)

Of the remaining 12 credits:

at least three must come from a social science course with an ESC designation

at least three must come from a humanities course with an ESC designation (other than PHL204)

at least three must come from a natural or physical science course (other than BIO 106).

The last 3 credits can come from any class with an ESC designation.

To check available courses for Fall 2016, click here, select the term and then “Environmental Studies Concentration” in the Category section.

For more information, contact ESC co-coordinators, Paul Gulezian, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Marian Staats, Professor of English, at pgulezia@oakton.edu and mstaats@oakton.edu.

On Wednesday, April 20th, we will be hosting an Electronic Recycling Collection event at the Des Plaines campus from 3:30pm to 7:30pm in Room 1604, in coordination with the Douglas Center in Skokie and CyclePoint Recycling. If you have any old electronics lying around your house, waiting to be properly recycled, please bring them in! Not only will you be helping to keep electronics out of the landfill, you will also be creating opportunities for individuals in our community. Douglas Center offers education, work, and enrichment opportunities to adults with special needs. These collection events and the dismantling and preparation process that follows create work opportunities for individuals involved. Please tell family and friends and invite your neighbors as this event is open to the public.

**Small handheld electronics and corded appliances are also acceptable but CRT Monitors and Televisions will not be accepted.**